Second-placed Atlético Madrid face Osasuna in weekend clash.
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Atlético Madrid have firmly inserted themselves into the La Liga title race, riding high on a seven-match winning streak. Diego Simeone’s side have 41 points [12W, 5D, 1L], overtaking early pacers Barcelona [38 points] and trailing city rivals and league leaders Real Madrid [43 points] by just two points, with a game in hand. The Mattress Makers’ most recent league outing was a statement 2-1 win, as Alexander Sørloth’s stoppage-time heroics sealed a dramatic victory at Barcelona. That result capped off a stellar 2024 and bolstered Atlético’s title credentials. The new year began on a similar note, with Atlético grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win against third-tier Marbella in the Copa del Rey last weekend. Now, the focus shifts back to La Liga, where they will aim to extend their winning streak to eight matches—a feat they last achieved in January 2021. Victory on Sunday will take the hosts to the top of the table. However, Simeone’s side will be wary, having suffered a 4-1 home defeat the last time they faced Osasuna, snapping an 11-match winning streak in that fixture. Another loss on Sunday would mark the first time since October 2009 that Atlético have been beaten in consecutive meetings with Los Rojillos. Simeone is likely to deploy a 4—4—2 setup, with Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez leading the line. However, the in-form Sørloth, who came off the bench to score the decisive goal in Atlético’s last two league victories, will also be in contention.
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Red-hot Atlético Madrid will look to maintain their winning momentum as they host Osasuna in their first La Liga clash of the new year. Atlético Madrid vs. Osasuna kicks off at 15:15 [GMT] on Sunday, January 12, at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
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Osasuna, meanwhile, are enduring a torrid run in La Liga, with Vicente Moreno’s men winless in their last six league outings [0W, 2D, 4L]. Their struggles have been somewhat eased by progress in the Copa del Rey, most recently a 2-1 victory over second-tier Tenerife in their first game of 2025. However, their last La Liga fixture ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club, leaving them stuck in 11th place with 25 points [6W, 7D, 5L]. While just five points off sixth, Los Rojillos’ European ambitions hinge on snapping their current slump sooner rather than later. Moreno’s side will harbour some optimism from their most recent visit to Wanda Metropolitano, where they shocked Atlético. Additionally, Osasuna have picked up points in two of their last four trips to Madrid [1W, 1D, 2L], offering a glimmer of hope as they aim to reverse their fortunes. Moreno is expected to stick with a 4—3—3 formation, featuring Rubén García, Kike Barja, and Ante Budimir in attack.
